My Top Ten Fashion Outfits For 2012 And What I’ve Learned About Fashion Blogging

A few things that I've learned about Fashion Blogging over the past 11 months.

– When taking photos light is your best friend. Poor lighting and weird shadows can make you look about 20-40 years older and send you into a panic searching online to find the nearest cosmetic surgeon for a full face & body overhaul even if you don't have the cash.

– Taking photos from above can make your face and body appear thinner but it also makes your legs look like tiny baby legs on a grown up body.

– Every little detail about yourself is magnified by a hundred. Do I really smile like that? Is one eye larger than the other? Am I lop-sided? Where did that muffin top come from? Who stole my arms and replaced them with chicken wings? Is that a new mole? When did that get there?

– There are too many lots of great, fun, stylish, gorgeous, funny fashion bloggers & other blogs to follow.

– Having a husband and or friend that is willing to take outfit photos for free is like MasterCard would say… priceless. Thank you! thank you!

– It is expected that not everyone will agree with you. Like I always tell my husband, "when I want your opinion I'll give it to you." Ha ha. I wish.

– There will always be haters, but there will always be lovers too and overall this community has been one big ball of sunshine in my heart from the beginning and it just keeps growing. I'm not a sappy person, but thanks to all my lovely readers that have decided to take this journey with me…from the bottom of my heart. Without you, what would be the point?

Husbands are so practical to keep around for fashion shoots! 😛 I love all the dresses and skirts you wear! Aren’t they fun? I feel like there’s so much more variety to an outfit why you ad a skirt or a dress rather than just pants.

Love this! I agree, having someone there to always take pictures is great! Although I purchased a tripod and a remote about 6 months ago because I felt bad making my fiance come out with me and take pictures after work. The best photo tip I ever received was that natural sunlight is always best. If I don’t make it home by sundown I’ll wait until the next day to take outfit photos. Anyway, I’m happy our blogs crossed paths because I really enjoy reading yours. I hope you have a great 2013!
xo
AshleySouthern (California) Belle

I think the 3rd style is my favorite! But you really look gorgeous in all of them…
And I love your list. I totally agree that having a hubby or partner take your photos is ideal. I take all of my own photos since my hubby is just way too busy…but I am super jealous of all the bloggers who have their own personal photographer. One day maybe! 🙂
Happy New Year Suzanne!
xo – Marion

Suzanne, what a wonderful post. I have truly enjoyed reading your blog this year. I love your style. Those pics you chose are fab. I particularly like the top 3 outfits. I would wear those in a heartbeat. See you in 2013!

I agree on the sunlight tip. By far the best and it’s just so much nicer to have photos outside with a different background. You’re lucky since your weather is nice enough year round to take the photos outside. I’m not daring enough to trudge out in the snow and take photos. Way too cold for me.
I just love your style! Happy New Year wishes! This year seems like it’s going to be your busiest and most exciting ever.

I have now resorted to a tripod during the winter months when I’m taking photos inside but I’m hoping to be lucky enough to have someone take some photos outside again when spring arrives. It’s so much easier than lugging a tripod around.
I love your blog and wish you and your soon-to-be bigger family all the best in the New Year!

Aha, so this is you!. I found you on NotDressedAsLamb and on 40plusstyle and was wondering who you were. One click away of course.
I think you are a wonderful person with a gorgeous figure.
My favourite is the Ralph Lauren leopard dress with the jeans jacket. But it is hard to choose. Your black and white heels f.i. … mouth watering.
What you say about light and photography are exactly the things I experienced since March this year when I started to upload at the Style Forum of 40plusstyle. Now that I have my own blog (since 1 1/2 month) I can use that experience. But having a full time job and living in The Netherlands where the weather is usually not that good has its challenges.
Greetje

I agree – I’ve found it’s all about the lighting. At first I wondered if it was self-indulgent to try so hard to get good photos, but then I figured why would my readers want to see ugly shots:)? I had someone email me saying that I should be more like Atlantic-Pacific. Which is, of course, impossible. But I took the hint and now do my photos outdoors in San Francisco with a tripod. I get some weird looks, and I feel self-conscious, but it’s all adventure, right?
Hope your adventures go well in 2013!

Thanks so much for popping by Lisa.
You are so lucky you can get out door shots year round. Here I am dealing with snow as of last week and thus all my photos are taken inside now with a tripod and timer. They are so boring though when compared to outdoor shots and the lighting is a huge hassle.
I’m too self conscious to go around with a tripod to take photos of myself anywhere other than my yard or house. I have a feeling though I will need to get over that since my girlfriend and husband aren’t always available. Kudos to you for getting past that and doing it on your own.
Happy New Year!

Aah. I love all of these hats. I’m looking forward to more of your style in 2013. I agree about the photographer being the most wonderful part of blogging. To have someone believe in you and help you achieve your dream is humbling and exciting!

Happy New Year Suzanne! You certainly had a very stylish year and yes taking photos is all about angles and lighting. Still trying to help my mom master it in some instances 🙂 We always have a hard time with indoor photos which will be inevitable as it is FREEZING in chicago rite now.

Thanks so much Jessi.
I just realized that you have the same cardigan as me…kind of a brownish one with poodles on it. I saw it in your year end round up. I was called out for wearing it, that’s why I remember it so well. Too funny.
Happy New Year!

Thanks for popping round Gentri : ) Be careful about those husband/photographers…they require much more maintenance than your average tripod, but then who wants to just hug 3 poles? ha ha
I’m not much of a makeup person so I think I will need to check more into your mad makeup skills.

This is for sure a great community and I have found some awesome and inspirational people as well (like you!) I love seeing the review of your outfits in 2012 – I really love that Modcloth flower dress one – it sticks out to me in this group!
<3 katherineof corgis and cocktails

Thanks for hosting the style challenge Sylvia.
I’m happy that my looks are so different but I wonder what that says about me. I find it very difficult if not impossible to define any real common thread that runs through my personal style. My style changes with my mood and the weather it seems. Artists are known to change their mind often and maybe that is reflected in my clothes.

I love your style and enjoyed the 2012 re-cap. I can’t believe you have haters – boo to them. I agree with your photography tips – it’s a process and a journey to improve style photos that are right for each of us individually and our blogs.